The Feisty Side of Fifty / Baby Boomer Women

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Hello and welcome to “The Feisty Side of Fifty,™” the site that celebrates a truly remarkable generation of women. We first-wave baby boomers, now fifty plus but nowhere near matronly, are rockin’ on and still flaunting our famously bodacious style and spirit.We ladies can be deservedly proud of our shared history and our far-reaching accomplishments. In fact, the determined feminists of our generation drove through legislation that reversed centuries of discrimination and forever altered the roll of being born female in this country. (A rather formidable triumph, I might add!)

And now, although the years have likely morphed us from hippies to just plain hippy, in either case we are living large. No one can doubt our critical mass at this stage of the game!In fact, there are twenty-three million of us boomer gals who have already celebrated our half-century birthdays. Better yet, the hormonal changes of menopause make us saucier and more outspoken than ever before. As we ladies reach our fifties and sixties, we truly come into our own in new and exciting ways.

Invisibility Anyone?

There is, nevertheless, the sad but true fact that the popular culture in this country has a history of ignoring older women. In truth, we might have to fess up to a certain amount of culpability in that regard. Way back in the psychedelic sixties, we boomers essentially created the youth culture and then pridefully played it for all it was worth. Now, this very same focus has turned to bite us on our own burgeoning bottoms. (Yes, we can all remember the famous “generation gap” and probably wince at the “don’t trust anyone over thirty” maxims of our youth.)

So, here we go again!

But boomers are known for spearheading sweeping social reforms, making news, and breaking the mold for what is viewed as the “typical” female experience. And, we gals certainly aren’t about to stop that now. In fact, we won’t stand for being shunted to the margins of society or ignored into our “invisible years.” To the contrary, we are ripe and ready to mount one of our greatest and most important cultural revolutions.

Without a doubt, the art of aging is getting a whole new look and we cheeky hipsters will be leading the charge!So, let’s start digging around in those closets, pulling out our well-worn Birkenstocks (sensible footwear for protests and marching), and hitting the crone circuit. Let’s strut our stuff, raise our voices, and stridently claim the rights and privileges for women on the feisty side of fifty. Say it loud and say it proud: “We are the flaming, female boomers and, world, watch us roar!”

And Roar We Will

This site is dedicated to riding the rollercoaster of aging with information, wit, and even a bit of wisdom thrown in for good measure. So visit frequently to get the latest tips for forever flower children to keep blooming ever more beautifully throughout our years.Here is a forum to share your thoughts, experiences, spirit, and sass:

• How do you plan to become an audacious and obstreperous old broad?

• What ways will you break the age barrier and shine as your maturely magnificent self?

Post your comments and check back often to read articles, stories, and postings from fellow boomer bloggers.

Stay connected and sign up for my free newsletter here filled with tips for feisty living. I won’t share your name. (At my age, who wants to risk the bad karma?) And, you can cancel at any time.

Showing a bit of attitude with my friends. (I’m the one in the middle.)

Having read your writing, I would like to congratulate you on seeing the bright side in the lives of “women over 50”. – As the older population in general is growing rapidly, it is encouraging to see women mature into powerful matriarchs. By being confident and capable in dealing with many facets of llife, they are assuming ever greater roles of benefactors to their families and society at large.

Am looking forward to reading more of your very entertaining stories and support for women at this stage in their lives. Your writing conveys the message that “women, like good wine, can become more valuable over time”.

I have always appreciated women and my experience and affiliation is also somewhat north of 50. My question is, are men wanted here? While the 60’s failed to live up to my hopes and expectations, many of us men did manage to grow up supporting equal pay, promotion and yes gratification. You are funny and often wise, but I am nervous to tread where not wanted. What’s the dope? Are crabby but not dim fellow travelers wanted?

Thank you all for your great comments! It’s exciting to hear from so many over fifty and feisty friends.
And a special note to Bob: Of course, we ladies welcome the male viewpoint. We may be estrogen depleted, growing our own whiskers, and pretty crabby ourselves. But, hey, that makes us all the more lovable! Just hope you won’t be the Lone Ranger so feel free to invite a couple of your buddies to tread along with you.

Write on, girl! Hopefully your words will
help other women appreciate the wisdom that
comes from menopause – even if the physical
trade-offs seem so unfair! I’d love to have my
figure back but sure do appreciate the woman
I’ve become in my fifties! And I appreciate
all of my Feisty Side of Fifty sisters as well!

And we don’t have to be invisible after 50 if we all take that same feisty spirit our generation had when we were young and use it in all of life. Too many have settled for less than they should. I was more invisible in my 30s than I am now because I sat up one day and refused to sit in the corner any longer. :)

Mary Eileen, This is GREAT!!! I had no idea you
were involved in such a fabulous forum!
I definitely will sign up for your newsletter
and make this site a favorite to visit often.
You hit the nail on the head – saucier and
outspoken!!! That would be me!

I’m 49 (not quite 50 yet) and have been sort of waiting for this time in my life. Not so much the age, but the feeling of being ready to try some things I never had time to do before. I’m a writer. New to the game, but, hope to turn it into something with longevity. I’m ready to try.

LOVED your workshop and all the materials you
provided…including the very special napkins!!
You (and all the ladies who attended) have
reinforced my belief that women our age are
wise and have much to contribute.
Thanks for a great day!

I was so getting tired of being a part of the “invisible” age and gender group.I thought all hope was lost. I now see that I am not alone and there are others to communicate with. Yayyyyyy!
For the first time in many months I feel like I am still a viable,and skilled woman, worthy of all things.

You are right on target, Eileen. We are changing the attitudes toward older women, because there are a fair number of us who are actively working at it. Blogs like yours helps to empower other Boomer women to step out and be noticed. Good for you!

I’m loving this time of my life. It’s exciting having
new freedoms and even the challenges are do-able.
As long as I keep the enthusiasm of my youth, I think
I’m doing just fine! By the way, keep being feisty – it works!

I got your name from a friend after discussing the movie “let’s face it” women discussing their relationship to their faces as we age. Cool movie. I love the idea of your site and am looking forward to more inspiring words of wisdom and opportunities to celebrate the journey. p.s. I’m a Mary Eileen too!

Invisibility; It is real.
My husband and I, yes men over 50 are invisible too, were at a 30 something party and we were the oldest there. Some were cordial to us but then moved on to their peers and others just ignored us. It is something to get used to that is for sure!

This made me smile — and I’m glad you reminded me of how we thought we were “all that” as we watch another generation think they are “even more all that” — I’m loving learning from them! And I love it when they take a breath and want to learn from me.

I just found your site and read your most recent Apr. 22 blog. Good stuff. I am 50, a three time survivor of cancer, married for 22 years, and my son is 17. I have been through some major changes just recently and your advice that we all come out on the other side of tough times stronger and wiser is so true. I also am trying to empower my 50 plus peers with a new product. I re-invented the hand held fan for the modern woman. If you feel like checking it out it’s http://www.flashinfannye.com
Keep up the great blogging.
Julie

Lol… This is almost like you’re reading our minds!:) We’re a group for 50+ women, http://www.womenetcetera.com, who chat a lot, laugh a lot and have fun! We share tips, advice, laughs and lend an ear when its needed.. Do join us! We NEED people like you!!!:)

Well…these are great questions…but I really don’t think of myself as an old broad (I’m 57)… i much prefer the term feisty bitch :) I will shine and break the age barrier in my own small way, by “admitting” my age when people assume I’m 10 yrs younger. As Gloria Steinem once said, “This is what 50 looks like.” And that’s exactly how I answer their disbelief :)

I love your website. I had never blogged or
commented until Sarah Palin was nominated VP
Candidate, but she absolutely energized me to pay attention to and get involved in politics.
I am starting my career over at 52 and I love seeing women
who are strong, feisty and full of life after
50 (I think younger men like that too!)
My physical goal is to surf again. I surfed as
a teen and in my early twenties in San Diego
and Hawaii and I’m determined to get on a board
again!